About Harringtons of Reading: Your Trusted Local Fuel and Gas Supplier
Harringtons of Reading is a dedicated, independent supplier of bottled gas, prepacked solid fuels, and essential heating products. We have served Reading, Berkshire, and the surrounding counties since 1956. Unlike faceless national couriers or generic depot chains, we operate as a closely involved family business. Operational reliability and personal service are our top priorities.
We act as a critical logistics partner for business owners, hospitality managers, and homeowners alike. We ensure that everything from pub cellar gases to industrial welding supplies arrives exactly when needed. Rather than offering empty promises, we provide practical traditional advice combined with modern delivery capabilities. This means you receive trustworthy advice and dependable delivery service.
Our Story So Far
Every business has a beginning, and ours is rooted deeply in the local community. To understand how we operate today, it helps to look at where we started. We didn’t begin life as a logistics company; we started as a proper family hardware shop in Southcote, Reading.
It was the sort of place that is sadly becoming rare—a shop where you could pop in for a pack of screws or a specific tool and leave not just with the product, but with the exact right advice on how to use it. That ethos of genuine helpfulness was there from day one. When their son, Roger, was old enough, he joined the business. He went on to run the shop in that same traditional, down-to-earth way for many years, cementing our reputation for honesty and practical support.
In 2002, the baton was passed to the next generation. Roger’s son, Adrian, stepped in, continuing the family line and bringing fresh energy to the firm. However, as the retail landscape shifted, it became clear that our customers needed more than just a shop front.
A New Chapter in Sonning Common
By 2009, the business needed room to evolve. Consequently, we moved our operations from Southcote to Sonning Common to support our growth. This wasn’t just a change of address; it was a shift in focus.
Not long after the move, Adrian and his wife Lucy developed a new side of the business that would eventually become our core offering: supplying and delivering bottled gas and pre-packed fuel. It proved to be a natural fit. It was local, practical, and entirely focused on helping people keep their homes and businesses warm and functional.
Growing Again: Oakley Yard and WG Hill
We expanded in response to customer demand. As the need for our delivery service increased, we simply required more space. In 2017, we were given the opportunity to set up a new yard in Oakley. This expansion allowed us to supply customers across Oakley and the surrounding areas more efficiently, cutting down delivery times and increasing our stock capacity.
What’s more, in 2021, Harringtons acquired WG Hill, a highly regarded local coal merchant based in Marsh Gibbon, near Bicester. WG Hill had been operating since 1960, and we were incredibly proud to carry on the high level of service their loyal customers knew and expected. By integrating their operations with ours, we have been able to maintain that focus on reliability and friendliness while extending our reach even further.
Expanding the Range: Heating Oil
In 2026, we took another practical step forward and — for the first time — began supplying heating oil (kerosene) using the innovative FuelBox system. It’s a tidy 20-litre bag-in-a-box that’s easy to store, simple to handle, and comes with a glug-free pouring hose for clean, fuss-free topping up. It also includes an additive package designed to help keep fuel in good condition and support efficient, reliable heating. And because we already deliver across our local patch day in, day out, it’s a natural fit — the same friendly service, the same dependable deliveries, now with one more way to keep you warm when the tank decides to get dramatic.
Our Customer-Oriented Approach
In an industry often dominated by automated phone lines and rigid delivery slots, we take a different approach. We pride ourselves on offering renowned customer support that feels human and helpful.
For a business owner, there is nothing more frustrating than being unable to speak to someone when you have a query about an order. When you contact us, you speak directly to a dedicated support team. We understand the products inside out and appreciate the commercial pressure you are under. Whether you are a pub landlord needing urgent cellar gas or a landscape gardener calculating the volume of sleepers needed for a project, our team is there to guide you.
However, this isn’t just about being polite; it’s about solving problems. Our goal is to provide the most customer-oriented solid fuel and gas supply in your area. That means if you are unsure which gas regulator you need, we will help you figure it out. If you are debating the efficiency of different smokeless fuels for your open fire, we can explain the pros and cons based on real experience, not a sales script.
A Busy Local Fleet
Our commitment to service is backed by serious hardware. Between our two yards, we run a fleet of eleven vans. These vehicles are actively on the road every weekday, ensuring that stock reaches our customers efficiently.
This fleet size is significant for a local business. This resilience ensures we can cope with sickness or vehicle maintenance without letting customers down. It allows us to route deliveries intelligently, ensuring that we can cover our broad delivery area effectively while keeping our promises on timing.
Delivery Coverage and Services
Dependability is key in logistics. As a business owner, you need the assurance that your supplies will arrive on time, every time.
Where We Deliver
We cover a wide area with our delivery network:
GU14, GU15, GU16, GU17, GU19, GU20, GU25, GU46, GU47, GU51, GU52, HP9, HP10, HP10, HP11, HP12, HP13, HP14, OX9, OX10, OX11, OX12, OX13, OX14, OX39, OX44, OX49, RG1, RG2, RG4, RG5, RG6, RG7, RG8, RG9, RG10, RG12, RG14, RG17, RG18, RG19, RG20, RG21, RG22, RG23, RG24, RG25, RG26, RG27, RG29, RG30, RG31, RG40, RG41, RG42, RG45, SL0, SL1, SL2, SL3, SL4, SL5, SL6, SL7, SL8, SL9, TW1, TW2, TW3, TW4, TW5, TW6, TW7, TW8, TW9, TW10, TW11, TW12, TW13, TW14, TW15, TW16, TW17, TW18, TW19, TW20, UB1, UB2, UB3, UB4, UB5, UB6, UB7, UB8, UB9, UB10, UB11, UB18, W13, W5, W7
If you are based in Reading, Henley, Maidenhead, Bracknell, Tilehurst, Caversham, Woodley, Theale or the surrounding villages, you are almost certainly in our core delivery zone. We have a handy postcode checker on our main site, but if you are local to Berkshire or South Oxfordshire, we can likely reach you.
Find out more on our Delivery Area page…
Five-Day Delivery Schedule
We know that businesses operate on tight schedules. That is why we are committed to offering delivery five days a week, from Monday to Friday.
It may surprise you to learn that we do not deliver on weekends. We do this intentionally so our staff are well-rested and the fleet is properly maintained, allowing for full efficiency on Monday morning. For our commercial clients, this reliability during the working week is vital. You can plan your stock levels knowing that we are on the road every single weekday.
Transparent Delivery Fees
We believe in keeping costs clear and predictable.
- Standard Delivery: For most orders, including bagged fuels and salt, there is a small nominal fee (typically around £3.25 to £5.00 depending on the product). This standard service usually sees your goods delivered within 2–4 working days.
- Next Day Delivery: If you are in a hurry, we offer a delivery upgrade for a flat fee of £9.00 (available in select postcodes).
- Same Day Delivery: For urgent requirements, if you order before 12 noon, we offer a same-day service for £15.00. This is particularly popular with our hospitality clients who may have had an unexpectedly busy weekend and need immediate restocking.
Our Core Products and Specialties
We are best known for our gas and fuel, but our inventory has evolved to meet the specific needs of our customers. Here is a breakdown of what we supply and why it matters to you.
Calor Gas and Bottled Gases
As a major stockist, we supply the full range of Calor Gas cylinders. This includes:
- Propane: Essential for commercial heating, catering vans, and industrial processes.
- Butane: Commonly used for indoor portable heaters and camping.
- Patio Gas: Specifically designed for outdoor heaters and BBQs.
However, we go beyond just standard Calor cylinders. We are also a key supplier of industrial gases. We stock Buse gas, a leading brand for industrial applications, and we are agents for Hobbyweld cylinders.
Hobbyweld is fantastic for businesses because the cylinders are rent-free—you pay a one-off deposit and then just pay for the gas refill. This is ideal for smaller workshops or garages that don’t want to be tied into expensive long-term rental contracts for oxygen, nitrogen, or welding mixes.
Prepacked Fuels
Solid fuel remains a critical heating source for many rural homes and businesses. We stock a comprehensive range:
- Smokeless Fuels: Essential for use in smoke control areas. These fuels provide high heat output with a slow burn, making them cost-effective for continuous heating.
- Traditional Coal: For those with appropriate appliances outside smoke control zones.
- Kiln-Dried Logs: We are particularly proud of our wood fuel. Our logs are kiln-dried to ensure a low moisture content. Wet wood doesn’t just burn poorly; it produces tar that damages flues and provides very little heat. Our logs burn hot and clean, offering better value for money.
Water-Softening Salt
In our region, the water is notoriously hard. Limescale build-up is a silent killer of commercial machinery, from dishwashers in restaurants to laundry systems in hotels.
We supply high-purity salt blocks and tablets specifically for water softeners. Regular use of these products protects your capital equipment. It is far cheaper to buy salt than it is to replace a scaled-up industrial boiler or dishwasher element. We deliver these heavy bags directly to your door, saving you the back-breaking work of hauling them from a cash-and-carry.
Railway Sleepers
Perhaps a surprising addition to a fuel merchant’s list, but a popular one. We supply high-quality railway sleepers, which are in constant demand by landscape gardeners, builders, and business owners looking to tidy up their external premises. They are robust, long-lasting, and delivered with the same efficiency as our fuels.
Cellar Gas Supplies
For the licensed trade, we are a lifeline. We supply the necessary cellar gases (CO2 and mixed gases) required to dispense draught beers and soft drinks. We understand that if the gas runs out, the bar closes. Our reliable delivery schedule helps publicans ensure that never happens.
Portable Heaters
We also sell a range of portable indoor gas heaters. These are excellent for spot-heating draughty workshops, temporary offices, or warehouses where installing a full central heating system isn’t feasible. They are efficient, mobile, and provide instant heat.
Heating Oil
A newer addition to our list — and one that’s proving very popular — is FuelBox heating oil (kerosene). It’s a smart, clean way to buy smaller quantities: heating oil supplied in a neat 20-litre box with a built-in pouring hose, so it’s easy to store and simple to use when you need to top up. Ideal for customers who don’t need a full tanker delivery, but still want dependable fuel — delivered across our local area with the same friendly service and reliable timing we’re known for.
Supporting the Hospitality Industry and Local Businesses
While we serve many domestic customers, a huge part of our operation is geared towards commerce. We also supply the hospitality industry, and we understand the unique pressures that come with it.
If you run a pub, restaurant, or hotel, you cannot afford supply chain uncertainty. A missed delivery of cellar gas for dispensing drinks or charcoal for the grill, translates directly into lost revenue. Because we are local and run our own fleet, we offer a level of accountability that national chains struggle to match. Our drivers know the area, they know your drop-off points, and they turn up when they say they will.
We also support other sectors. Construction firms use our gas for cutting and heating; agricultural businesses rely on us for fuel; and small workshops use our rent-free industrial gas bottles to keep overheads down. We consider ourselves a partner to these businesses and work to support their growth by helping make procurement straightforward.
Our Operational Scale and Future Vision
It is easy to assume a family business is “small,” but in terms of capacity, we punch well above our weight.
We currently employ a team of twelve dedicated staff across our sites. This includes our drivers, yard staff, and the office team who handle your orders. Financially, Harringtons is built on solid foundations. We are a stable, asset-backed Limited Liability Partnership (LLP).
This financial health matters to you because it means we can invest in stock depth. We don’t run “just in time” inventory that leaves you waiting if there’s a supply hiccup at the national level. We hold stock, own our vans, and plan ahead.
Looking to the future, our vision is one of steady, sustainable improvement. The acquisition of WG Hill was a statement of intent—we are here for the long haul. We aim to continue modernising our ordering systems and expanding our reach, all while fiercely protecting the family values that made us successful in the first place. We will never become a faceless call centre; we will always be the folks who started in a hardware shop in Southcote, just with a much bigger van fleet.
How to Get in Touch and Place an Order
Ordering is straightforward. You can browse our full range and place orders directly through our website, 24 hours a day.
- Online: The easiest way to check if we deliver to you is to use the postcode checker on our homepage. If you are eligible, you can add items to your basket and select your preferred delivery speed (Standard, Next Day, or Same Day).
- Phone: If you prefer to speak to a human—perhaps to discuss a complex trade order or ask for technical advice—you can call our office. Our team is available Monday to Friday, 07:30 to 17:00, and Saturdays 09:00 to 16:00.
- Visit Us: You can find us at Blounts Farm in Sonning Common or at our yard in Oakley.
If you are a business customer with high-volume requirements, give us a ring. We are always happy to discuss how we can tailor our delivery schedule to fit your operational rhythm.